What are the odds of this numbers game?

[SheetWise]

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How does this work for the house? Obviously you run the game until someone hits quads then take the money and run. I think your instincts might be right on Stan.

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Well ... you could key the entries into a computer to see which number has the lowest payoff ... Own the "independent" source of the numbers ...

This would be known as drawing the numbers with a pen.

[BigBluffer]

I think I see what you guys might be missing. This seems to be like many state-run numbers games. Every night there's a 4-digit winning number. Earlier in the day, you go to buy your ticket, you can bet:

1) $1 on any 4-digit combination. If that combination hits, you get $4000 back. Example - you bet on 2345. Winning combo is 2345 - you get $4000. Winning combo is 8345 - you get nada. OR

2) $1 on matching the last 3 digits of the winning combination. You are only picking 3 numbers here. This is a separate $1 bet from #1. If that combination hits, you get $500 back. Example - you pick 234. Winning number is 1234 - you get $500. Winning number is 8234 - you get $500. Winning number is 8734 - you get $0. OR

3) $1 on matching the last 2 digits of the winning combination. You are only picking 2 numbers here. This is a separate $1 bet from #1 and #2. If that combination hits, you get $50 back. Example - you pick 24. Winning number is 1524 - you get $50. Winning number is 8324 - you get $50. Winning number is 8734 - you get $0.

So, the game allows for 3 different types of bets, all dependent on the outcome of one drawing. Kinda like a craps game: you can bet the line + the field + place the 9. Three separate bets, but all dependent on the outcome of the same roll.

This results in the typical 50-60% house vig for numbers games. No way any numbers game is gonna give the sucker a 35% edge and last more than a couple of days.